STILL GOING – Ronald Mark Yadvish has walked more than 3,000 miles on the streets of Bayonne. Well-known by residents, storekeepers, and political figures, Yadvish said he will continue to walk the streets of his hometown.

Rep. Albio Sires joined his colleagues in early November to introduce the final recommendations of the specially appointed bipartisan “Panel on 21st Century Freight Transportation.” Beginning in April of this year the committee toured freight facilities in Southern California, Memphis, the New York City/Northern New Jersey region, and Norfolk, Virginia. They held numerous briefings with freight industry professionals to examine the role freight transportation plays in the U.S. economy and how the federal government can work to increase the efficiency, safety, and security of our critical transportation network. The panel consists of 11 members of the U.S. House of Representatives from around the country and is led by Chairman, U.S. Rep. John J. Duncan, Jr. (R-TN) and Ranking Member Jerrold Nadler (D-NY).

Included in the Panel’s recommendations are several key policy provisions put forth in the MOVE Freight Act of 2013, introduced by Congressman Sires in March. The key policy provisions include recommending that Congress should direct the Secretary of Transportation to establish a true multimodal freight network that takes all modes of goods movement into account, the creation of comprehensive state freight plans, and increased funding for freight transportation infrastructure projects.

“My district is home to one of the largest seaports in the country, so involvement on this panel has been a key priority for me,” Sires said. “These common sense, bipartisan recommendations will help ensure that New Jersey remains competitive and it will ensure that our nation, which moves nearly $20 trillion in goods on our transportation network each year, remains competitive.”

The findings of the bipartisan Panel on 21st Century Freight Transportation will play a key role in the development of a long-term surface transportation bill, which is expected to be completed before the end of 2014.

Dine out for Steven at The Venice

The Venice Restaurant, 31 Cottage Street, will be holding a Dine out for Steven Pizzarelli, a 12- year-old boy who has cancer. The event is being chaired by Raeann Hempel and Tom Murphy. There will also be a donation bucket and a wastebasket raffle among other things. The event is from 3:30 to 9:30 p.m. on Nov. 19. For more information call (551) 655-3342.

GFWC Women’s Club seeks gifts to help kids in families with domestic violence

The GFWC Peninsula Women's Club will hold a Birthday in a Box Collection through Nov. 20. Children, who are temporarily living in a domestic violence shelter with their mothers, have had their lives turned upside down. But even in the midst of turmoil, birthdays happen. The women of the GFWC Peninsula Women's Club (Bayonne) believe every child deserves a birthday celebration.

“We are collecting donations to assemble birthday kits, so when a child at the shelter has a birthday, everything is available to celebrate. Suggested donations are cake mix / frosting, candles, balloons, party hats, party decorations, and favors. Monetary donations are also acceptable,” said Mary Kay Tokar, president

The GFWC is a 501(c)3 organization. Checks can be made payable to the GFWC Peninsula Women's Club. All items will be donated to WomenRising, the designated Domestic Violence Shelter for Hudson County.

Donations can be given to any PWC club member, mailed to GFWC Peninsula Women's Club, PO Box 5006, Bayonne, NJ 07002; or call Mary Kay at (201) 320-8403 to make other arrangements.

Church to host Operation Christmas Child

The Christian Church of Bayonne is seeking donations to fill an empty shoebox with toys, hygiene items, coloring books, crayons, school supplies, etc. for a boy or a girl and just drop it off at the church as part of Operation Christmas Child Collection Week, which runs from Nov. 19 to 25. Collection hours will be from 1 to 8 p.m. on Nov. 18, 5 to 7 p.m. on Nov. 19, 6 to 8 p.m. on Nov. 21 to 22, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Nov. 23, 2 to 5 p.m. on Nov. 24, and 10 a.m. to noon on Nov. 25. The church is at 131-133 W. 24th St., Bayonne. The church’s phone number is (201) 339-5110. For more

information on how to bless a child this Christmas through Operation Christmas Child visit thechristianchurchofbayonne.com or samaritanspurse.org/occ.

Bayonne Elks host free dance, book sale, and fundraiser for veterans

On Nov. 14, the Bayonne Elks Lodge 434 will be hosting another free dance event for our "Friends with Special Needs." These "Friends with Special Needs" 18 and over are welcome to attend November 14, from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. at the Bayonne Recreation Center at 597 Broadway. Elks will provide DJ, snacks, beverages, chaperones, and a good time for all. Please contact Tiffany, (201) 779-5213; Kathy (551) 655-5286 or Ronnie (201) 455-8581.

On Nov. 16 a book sale will be sponsored by the Bayonne Antlers Lodge 15, (Bayonne Elks Youth Organization) from 11 a.m. til 3 p.m., at the Bayonne Elks Lodge 434, at 364 Broadway. The money raised goes to the Antlers Charities, some of which include drug awareness, special children, and veterans.

From Nov. 15 to 16 the Bayonne Elks Lodge 434 Veterans Committee in connection with various Bayonne businesses will be raising funds to aid local veterans. They are asking local businesses to donate $1 from each customer they service (haircut, shave, nail appointment, etc.) or 10 percent of their sales (deli's, pizza shops, corner stores, etc.). Look for their flyer in the local store's windows and participate. November is Veterans' Month.

Any business wanting to contribute or take part in this worthwhile endeavor should contact the Bayonne Elks at (201) 858-9555 for information or call or text (201) 589-4344.